THE FOREIGN Ministry last night officially confirmed the kidnapping of a Cypriot national in Iraq six days ago.
Cypriot businessman Garabet Jean Jikerjian, 40, who has been listed as missing from the Iraqi capital of Baghdad since September 11, was officially declared kidnapped by the Foreign Ministry in a bulletin last night.
An unknown group of Iraqi militants are said to be demanding an additional $2 million on top of a $20,000 ransom that has already been paid by the company.
According to amateur video footage posted on the internet on last Sunday, an unknown group of Iraqi militant gunmen called ‘The Group for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice’ threatened to kill Jikerjian , who the group accused of working with an alcohol distribution firm that “deals with the occupiers”.
The group initially announced that they had “captured an importer of food and liquor in Baghdad who works for a company that deals directly with the crusader occupiers of Iraq”.
The group finally stated that it demanded the company’s “withdrawal from Iraq as soon as possible in order to free the Lebanese hostage – otherwise woe on him and you”.
Seen in the video footage sitting on the floor with his hands and feet tied while a hooded gunman pointed an automatic weapon at his head, Jikerjian said, “I hold dual Lebanese and Cypriot nationality and I work with the branches of the ‘Jetco Trading’ company in Lebanon, Cyprus and Iraq. The company supplies foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages to the occupation forces and the Iraqi army.”
He added, “I urge the company to leave Iraq and I ask the Lebanese embassy to put pressure on the company and its owner to sever links with the occupation forces and the Iraqi army.”
Addressing individuals named “Gebran, Avo, Lahoud and Rita”, Jikerjian also called on all Lebanese companies to withdraw from Iraq, stating “as Lebanon had been 15 years ago”.
The Cyprus Mail was later informed that Gebran was the owner of the company, Avo was Jikerjian’s brother, Lahoud is the Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Rita is his aunt in Cyprus.
Jikerjian was reported by police officials in Cyprus to have been missing for just under a week. Cypriot police sources said the militant gunmen had initially demanded $20,000 for the release of Jikerjian, which was paid by his employer.
When he wasn’t released upon payment, police began suspecting that the gunmen would come back with more money demands for his release.
Sources close to the family told the Cyprus Mail that Jikerjian started his Iraqi posting in August 2003. Before his posting, Jikerjian was working in Nicosia.
Jikerjian’s mother, now deceased, was a Cypriot citizen. The company he works for is owned by a Lebanese man and registered in Limassol.
Jikerjian’s aunt Rita Metzadourian explained to the Cyprus Mail the recent developments and how the ransom has now dramatically increased to $2 million.
“The kidnappers initially asked for the withdrawal of the company and the company withdrew from Baghdad. But Garabet wasn’t released and then they came back with a demand of $20,000 for his release. Again he wasn’t released when that amount was paid and now they are demanding $2 million and we are all waiting to see what can be done. As anyone can imagine, it is a very difficult time for all of us.”
She also explained the way in which the kidnappers took Jikerjian from his home.
“From what I have been told, the kidnappers came to Garabet’s house on August 21 in a police car and took him from his house. Although I am not sure, I believe this happened at night. I have been in contact with the Cypriot government and I went to give a statement about two weeks ago.”
The kidnapping has not been helped by the intervention of some television stations who according to Metzadourian have been sensationalising the situation.
“I was disgusted by what I saw on the news yesterday on Ant1 and Mega and how they were saying things without knowing the true facts. I even called up one station and told them how appalled I was that they would sensationalise this very difficult and worrying situation.”
In an announcement issued last night, the Foreign Ministry said: “Upon being informed of the kidnapping of Garabet Jikerjian, who has both Lebanese and Cypriot nationality, the Foreign Ministry has been in contact with his family that is based in Lebanon as well as with the Lebanese government that is currently handling the matter via their Embassy in Baghdad.
“The Cyprus government is also in contact with the authorities of Greece as well as with the Presidency of the European Union. The aim of the Cyprus government is to avoid any complications that would endanger the life of the hostage. The Cyprus government also respects the position of the hostage’s family at this difficult time.
“The Foreign Ministry will continue its efforts, hoping that the saga of Garabet Jikerjian will have a happy end.”
A Ministry official added that he hoped that the media would respect the delicacy of the matter.
(Additional information from the Oman Times)
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